dbacksfan414

Here is my preseason top 25 for this upcoming NCAA Football season:

1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Florida
4. Oklahoma
5. Southern California
6. Missouri
7. West Virginia
8. LSU
9. Texas
10. Clemson
11. Wisconsin
12. Auburn
13. Arizona State
14. BYU
15. Texas Tech
16. Kansas
17. Oregon
18. Virginia Tech
19. Tennessee
20. Illinois
21. Wake Forest
22. South Florida
23. Pittsburgh
24. Alabama
25. Cincinnati

As we all know, the starters for the MLB All Star Game are chosen by the fans. The fans usually pick the big name players and players from the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, or Cubs rather than players that actually deserve it. Here are my all-star teams (every team has to be represented).

*starter

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American League Batters

Joe Mauer, C, Twins*
Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins*
Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers*
Michael Young, SS, Rangers*
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees*
Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers*
Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians*
Carlos Quentin, OF, White Sox*
Milton Bradley, OF, Rangers* (DH)
A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox
Kevin Youkilis, 1B, Red Sox
Aubrey Huff, 1B, Orioles
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
Carlos Guillen, SS, Tigers (I know he doesn't play SS anymore, but he is still having a good season)
Mike Lowell, 3B, Red Sox
B.J. Upton, OF, Rays
J.D. Drew, OF, Red Sox
Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
Johnny Damon, OF, Yankees
Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox

American League Pitchers

Roy Halladay, SP, Blue Jays*
Cliff Lee, SP, Indians
Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox
Ervin Santana, SP, Angels
Joe Saunders, SP, Angels
Justin Duchscherer, SP, Athletics
Scott Kazmir, SP, Rays
Mariano Rivera, RP, Yankees
Joakim Soria, RP, Royals
George Sherrill, RP, Orioles
Francisco Rodriguez, RP, Angels
Jonathan Papelbon, RP, Red Sox

Team Breakdown:

Red Sox: 6
Rangers: 4
Angels: 3
Yankees: 3
White Sox: 3
Indians: 2
Orioles: 2
Rays: 2
Twins: 2
Athletics: 1
Blue Jays: 1
Mariners: 1
Royals: 1
Tigers: 1

Yes, that's right. I have 4 Texas Rangers players in my starting lineup for an all star game. Their stats may be skewed a bit because of their home park, but they are all having good seasons. Young is the choice at short because he is doing the best at a very thin A.L. shortstop crop this season. There are no Red Sox players in the lineup. Kevin Youkilis, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell, and Dustin Pedroia are all having great seasons, but there is somebody better at each position. I chose Roy Halladay as the starter just because of his consistency and ability to win games. If he got more run support, he would probably have double-digit wins by now. If I needed to win one game, I would take Halladay over Cliff Lee or Joe Saunders any day. If the AL has the lead entering the 9th inning, I would bring in Mariano Rivera to close the game.

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National League Batters

Brian McCann, C, Braves*
Lance Berkman, 1B, Astros*
Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies*
Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins*
Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves*
Carlos Lee, OF, Astros*
Nate McLouth, OF, Pirates*
Corey Hart, OF, Brewers*
Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers (DH)*
Geovany Soto, C, Cubs
Russell Martin, C, Dodgers
Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Padres
Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
Dan Uggla, 2B, Marlins
Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds
Jose Reyes, SS, Mets
David Wright, 3B, Mets
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Cubs
Matt Holliday, OF, Rockies
Jason Bay, OF, Pirates

National League Pitchers

Tim Lincecum, SP, Giants*
Edinson Volquez, SP, Reds
Brandon Webb, SP, Diamondbacks
Dan Haren, SP, Diamondbacks
Ben Sheets, SP, Brewers
Cole Hamels, SP, Phillies
Carlos Zambrano, SP, Cubs
Brad Lidge, RP, Phillies
Jon Rauch, RP, Nationals
Kerry Wood, RP, Cubs
Billy Wagner, RP, Mets

Team Breakdown:

Cubs: 5
Brewers: 3
Mets: 3
Phillies: 3
Astros: 2
Braves: 2
Diamondbacks: 2
Marlins: 3
Pirates: 2
Reds: 2
Cardinals: 1
Dodgers: 1
Giants: 1
Nationals: 1
Padres: 1
Rockies: 1

The Cubs are having a great season so far, but none managed to get into the starting lineup. They have a great offense, but there are players with better stats at each position. The NL outfield is not the typical outfield that the casual fan would think of when thinking about an all star game, but all three players are having great seasons. For the final starting pitcher spot, I chose Carlos Zambrano over Johan Santana. I might take a lot of heat for this, but I feel that Zambrano is having a better season. Tim Lincecum has nasty stuff, and he is having a tremendous season, so I chose him to be the starter. But any of the other starting pitchers on the team have a case as well. If the NL has the lead entering the 9th inning, I would bring in Brad Lidge to close the game.

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Yes, there were great players that were left off the team, and that happens every year. Feel free to comment.

There is only one U.S. male tennis player that made it out of the second round of Wimbledon this year.

One. And who is it?

Bobby Reynolds, who isn't even ranked in the ATP top 100 world rankings.

The two "best" American tennis players, Andy Roddick and James Blake, both made early exits again at a Grand Slam. Both are somehow in the top 10 worldwide, and both are extremely overrated.

On the women's side, there are the Williams sisters, who are both sorelosers. Combine sorelosing with their obnoxious screams, they are two of the most annoying tennis players to watch. Then, there is Lindsay Davenport, who at age 32, is trying to make a comeback after missing most of 2007. After those three, there is no other American female tennis player ranked higher than 69th.

Honestly, even though I live in the U.S., and was born and raised in the U.S., I want all of the U.S. tennis players to lose. I know that sounds wrong, but I hate most of them, and a lot of them are overhyped just because they are from the U.S.. It's gotten to the point where an unranked tennis player has the weight of a whole country on his shoulders just to keep them alive in a tennis tournament because most of the U.S. tennis players are horrible.

U.S. tennis is pathetic, and I hope it stays this way for awhile.

As we all know, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is going to have season-ending shoulder surgery that very well may end his career. Here are his career stats:

Regular season:

3261.0 IP
216-146
3.46 ERA
1.137 WHIP
3116 K
711 BB
22 SV

Postseason:

133.3 IP
11-2
2.23 ERA
0.968 WHIP
120 K
25 BB

Schilling was one of the best big game pitchers of his era. He started 7 World Series games, and went 3-1 with a 2.06 ERA in those games. He started Game 7 for my Diamondbacks back in 2001, a game in which the D-Backs won. Schilling has won 3 World Series rings, and a co-World Series MVP.

I think he will get into the Hall of Fame, but he definitely isn't a lock for the Hall of Fame. His win total is not that high, which might be the reason why he doesn't get in. At first glance, his stats do not look amazing, which is why I originally said he wouldn't get in. But after looking at some of these numbers, I changed my mind.

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These numbers rank all right-handed starters from 1992, the year Schilling first moved into the starting rotation in Philadelphia, through 2007, the year he possibly threw his final pitch in Boston.

• Schilling had the most complete games with 83. Greg Maddux was the next closest with 76.
• Pedro Martinez was the only righty with a better strikeout ratio than Schilling.
• Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens are the only righties with more strikeouts than Schilling.
• Only Pedro Martinez and Greg Maddux had a better WHIP than Schilling.
• Curt Schilling has the best strikeout-walk ratio in the modern era (lefties included).
• Only Christy Mathewson (yes, I know he didn't pitch in 1992) has a better postseason ERA than Schilling (with a minimum of 100 innings pitched).

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Here are some arguments against Schilling:

• He has never won a Cy Young Award
• He never threw a no-hitter
• He wasn't close to winning 250 games
  
• He has won 11 or less games on 10 occasions.
• In 10 of his 20 seasons, Schilling failed to make 30 starts, and on six ocassions, he failed to make 20 starts.

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If Schilling does get into the Hall of Fame, it will be interesting which team he will go in with. My guess would be the Red Sox because of the Bloody Sock incident and the historical comeback, but he could also go in with the Phillies or Diamondbacks, where he also pitched well.

Let the debating begin.

Syracuse.
Johns Hopkins.

Two of the most storied programs in NCAA Lacrosse history.

There have been 36 NCAA Lacrosse Championships, and these two schools have combined to win half of them (9 each). Johns Hopkins got here after an upset of Duke. Syracuse needed a monumental comeback and 2 overtimes to make it. Dave Pietramala (Johns Hopkins) and John Desko (Syracuse) are two of the best coaches in the business. Syracuse failed to make the NCAA Tournament last season with a 5-8 record. The only team in NCAA Lacrosse history to win the national championship after missing the tournament the previous year: Syracuse in 1983. And who did they beat? Johns Hopkins. Funny how these things work out.

Players to watch:

Michael Gvozden (G, JHU)

He was removed from the starting job in the middle of the season when Hopkins lost 5 straight, but he has regained the starting job. He is now trying to give Johns Hopkins their third championship in 4 years. He is going to have to make key saves i the Blue Jays want to win.

Kevin Huntley (A, JHU)

Huntley is a very good goal scorer, and provides senior leadership to the team. He scored 4 goals against Duke, including a spectacular behind the shoulder goal. If he has a good game, it could be a long game for the Orange.

Paul Rabil (M, JHU)

Rabil has one of the best shots in the nation. He constantly fires laserbeams at the net with tremendous accuracy.

Steven Boyle (A, JHU)

Boyle is underrated in the sense that Huntley and Rabil are also on this team. He can also score goals in bunches.

John Galloway (G, Syracuse)

Galloway has been put in a very high pressure situation, but he has handled it well. The freshman goalie showed signs of his youth against Virginia, but he made saves in clutch situations that helped the Orange stay in the game. He has to maintain his composure in this pressure-filled game.

Mike Leveille (A, Syracuse)

There isn't much more you can say about him. He is one of the best players in the nation, and single-handedly carried Syracuse into the championship game. He anchored the comback and capped it off with an off-balance shot that beat Virginia's Bud Petit. He is the Tewaaraton Trophy winner in my opinion (nation's best player), and needs to have a big game for Syracuse to win.

Danny Brennan (M, Syracuse)

The Syracuse attack starts with him. Although he is a midfielder, his ability to win face-offs sets up the attack. He leads the nation in face-off percentage, and needs to win a lot to give Syracuse extra possessions. The fifth-year senior is playing with a hamstring injury. He missed their game against Colgate, and Syracuse lost that game.

Matt Abbott (M, Syracuse)

He is known as the human clear. His tremendous speed allows him to make a successful clear by himself. He hustles after every ball, and can even score some goals. He is one of the best all-around players in the nation.

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Prediction:

Johns Hopkins 13, Syracuse 11

I think the Blue Jays' experience will play a major part in this game.

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Sorry Hopkins fans. I just know more about Syracuse than Hopkins.

Here are my predictions for the 2008 NCAA Lacrosse Championship:

The top seed does not necessarily play the 16 seed, the 2nd seed does not necessarily play the 15 seed, and so on.

First round (at higher seed):

(1) Duke over Loyola-Maryland
Ohio State over (8) Cornell
(4) North Carolina over Navy
(5) Johns Hopkins over Hofstra
Colgate over (6) Notre Dame
(3) Syracuse over Canisius
(7) Maryland over Denver
(2) Virginia over Maryland-Baltimore County

Quarterfinals (at Ithaca, NY or Annapolis, MD):

(1) Duke over Ohio State (Ithaca)
(5) Johns Hopkins over (4) North Carolina (Annapolis)
(3) Syracuse over Colgate (Ithaca)
(2) Virginia over (7) Maryland (Annapolis)

Semifinals (Foxborough, MA):

(1) Duke over (5) Johns Hopkins
(3) Syracuse over (2) Virginia

Finals (Foxborough, MA):

(1) Duke over (3) Syracuse

The Yankees optioned pitcher Ian Kennedy to AAA-Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees purchased the contract of pitcher Darrell Rasner from AAA-Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Pirates recalled pitcher Sean Burnett from AAA-Indianapolis.

The Pirates designated pitcher Evan Meek for assignment,

Twins outfielder Carlos Gomez is back in Sunday's lineup after missing Saturday's game with a head injury.

Red Sox first baseman Sean Casey will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.

Red Sox shortstop Alex Cora will begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday.

Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis will begin a rehab assignment on Monday.

Athletics pitcher Rich Harden will make a rehab start on Tuesday.

Royals pitcher John Bale broke his left hand after punching a door at a hotel on Friday.

Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling could begin a throwing program as soon as next week.

Angels third baseman Chone Figgins was sent for an MRI on his right hamstring after Saturday's game. Figgins had been filling in at second base for Howie Kendrick.

Veteran first baseman Julio Franco finally reitred at the age of 49. He played parts of 15 MLB seasons with the White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Brewers, Rays, Braves, and Mets.

The Cubs optioned pitcher Rich Hill to AAA-Iowa. Pitcher Sean Gallagher got called up to take Hill's spot.

The Dodgers optioned third baseman Andy LaRoche to AAA-Las Vegas.

I have not been able to update this due to the lack of time. Here is an update of the major headlines involving the fantasy baseball world.

• The Mariners called up top prospects Jeff Clement and Wladimir Balentien from AAA-Tacoma.
• Diamondbacks pitcher Max Scherzer got called up on Sunday, and pitcher 4 1/3 perfect innings last night against the Astros. He will start on Monday in the place of Edgar Gonzalez.
• The Yankees placed third baseman Alex Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps.
• Nationals pitcher Chad Cordero will miss at least a month, possibly 2, with a torn lat.
• Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki suffered a strained left quad during last night's game against the Giants. He is expected to have to go on the disabled list.
• Braves pitcher John Smoltz was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a severely inflamed biceps tendon and inflamed rotator cuff.